by Dawn Chapman
He also knew they were ready for a stronger relationship. One where they were equals, where they could talk and argue about things knowing their relationship was safe, no one could argue over it. Especially Altus.
This time when he kissed her, he pulled her in closer than ever. She melted against him and to his surprise her tail slipped out, wrapping itself around him. Only when there were whistles around them did he stop, finally pulling her inside to the privacy of his bedroom.
A knock at the door woke Drayk the next morning. With a tug on the cover as he rose, he momentarily forgot he’d been with Drei all night. When he turned to face her, the care that shone back was enough to make him want to ignore the door.
It was Torin who stood on the other side.
He pushed past Drayk into the room.
“Did you exchange vows?” he demanded. “At least tell me this is a legitimate relationship.”
Drei didn’t even bother to cover herself properly. She just glared, her eyes dangerous. “If I needed your permission for anything, it wouldn’t be for that, and you know it. I’m my own person you know.”
“You had obligations back home you just reneged on!”
“We’re here for each other,” Drayk said. “We’re not wrong in who we fall in love with.”
Torin growled at Drayk, the slits of his eyes turning a horrid green. “You know nothing about us.”
Drayk was going to protest. Of course, Drayk worried about that straight away. But he did worry about what a jealous brother had to say even more.
“No,” he stood by her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Drayk’s eyes flared. He wanted nothing more than to push Torin back out the door. “Drei and I are sure of what we want.”
“Even down to the last breath?”
Drayk didn’t hesitate, “Yes, even that. I’d give your sister everything, even if it was my last breath.”
Torin’s eyes narrowed a little. He softened. “I’m sorry Drayk, but I had to do this. I had to ask.”
Drayk smiled and held out a hand for Torin.
Torin grasped his arm. “I don’t know what you want or need in the future, but if things get hairy, I’ll do my best to dig you out, both of you.”
“So that means we’re on the training field, then in thirty minutes?” Drei said, standing to dress. Her brother did not bat an eye at her naked form.
Torin grinned. “Yes, this was your wakeup call after all.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Drayk
Torin waited for them on the battlefield where he picked out two of his finest daggers to fight with. There wasn’t anything Drayk could do here, but parry with him, sweat. Sweat in all the wrong places, till he was beaten and bruised, kneeling over, trying his best to catch his breath.
“You’re just being a pushover on purpose,” Torin said slapping a hand on his back. “You can do better than this.” He opened a palm to take. Drayk reached out, grabbed hold of his wrist to help himself up. Drei watched.
Then Drayk got his first witness to his stats in weeks. His training paid off, but it was slow going, and not everything showed properly. He found this frustrating the further down he read.
Character Name
Drayk Vellis
Age
18
Level
4
XP -
Unknown
Stat Points
Unknown
Talents—Empathy
15/20
Talent—Eeksah Trained—
Kildros Daggers
75/100
Health
100/100
Mana—Level 1—Trainee
45/100
Stamina
60/100
Armour
50/100
Strength
45/100
Intelligence
85/100
Wisdom
70/100
Constitution
65/100
Agility
70/100
Luck
80/100
Charisma
100/100
Drei paused in her practice, watching his face light up. “Any better?”
“Yeah, I just wish there was some consistency to it. In all the games I’ve played before it was amazing to sort out where I wanted my stats to go, but this is random. I wonder if my father still has his hand in why? There must be a solid reason.”
“There probably is, you just can’t see it yet. Maybe meeting Pierce will help. I’ve no idea how he and Leenz are doing.”
Drayk grabbed her hand. “Have you actually seen the guy? He’s built like a machine, fights like one too!”
“You’ve the same nanites in your system as he has; you’re both enhanced in the game.”
Drayk laughed. Yes, that’s what scared him. He was worried more that Drei wouldn’t like him out of the game.
“I’d love you anywhere,” she said, pulling him to her for a deep kiss.
Drayk pulled away. Drei met his eyes with concern.
“I know you feel for someone else,” she confessed.
Drayk didn’t want to keep their gaze, but he did. “Altus is that someone else. I’ve never met anyone like either of you. I need to be honest over that.”
“You know I do like him as well just not in the same way I like you.” She kissed the side of his cheek, following his jawline with her forked tongues. Then their lips met once more.
Drei took a step back. “I’d be all right if you want us both. You know that?”
Drayk was a little shocked. “We’re meant to be with one, yes?” He struggled with his thoughts, staring into her subtle yet shifting eyes. “Drei, I’m not used to anyone liking me. Let alone two so very different people.”
Drei leaned in, this time her tongue licked over his lips. “I want you to be happy. We’re mated for life. You are unsure, even if we were meant to be just us. I’d still want this. Do you know what he’s done for this world, for everyone around you?”
Drayk glanced to the wonderful world around him, and he smiled. “I’ve been told, so I can only imagine.”
“I have one thing to tell you,” she said, her eyes lowered, her voice suddenly so soft, sad. “I’m sorry.”
“What?
On her look alone he suddenly felt deep concern, his crazy loved up heart sensed a terrible poison within. Drayk reached for her, had to demand. “What?
“Altus doesn’t have long in this world or in ours. I wanted you to know. I think you need to see the consequences of what ‘this game’ is for him.”
“I don’t understand.”
Drei moved in, pulling him to her, hugging him tight. “I know you don’t.” She continued, “Altus is very sick on our home world. He was sick enough that he entered the game permanently. He’s used his lives. He won’t get another respawn.”
Drayk stormed into Altus’ personal bedroom, slapped his hand on the wall, the wood breaking into splinters. Altus stood back to him; he’d not flinched at all. “You had to let Drei tell me? I don’t get you. At all. What is it? What’s with us?”
Altus turned to face him, half undressed. His trousers undone, his skin exposed. Drayk’s eyes traced down his chest, to the muscles in his abs, then further, but he forced himself to stop.
“What could I ever say to you to express the importance of my life here, my choices?” He reached for a shirt but stopped. “Choices that you’d understand, not run your mouth off over, like now?”
Drayk hesitated from stepping forward to grab him by the throat. His fists flexed; the muscles in his arms tensed.
“I’m sorry, for what it’s worth,” Altus was the one who stepped forward. “I don’t want you to think I’m not worth your time.”
“How can you say that? When you don’t know me?”
Altus reached out, ran a finger down Drayk’s face, neck, then his arm. “I know everything I need to, to know I am meant for you.”
Drayk licked his lips, stepp
ed back. “This isn’t real. It’s all a game.”
“A game with real consequences. If I die in here, I might not make it on the outside. You know that, right? You can see that this is much more than what we signed up for can’t you?”
Drayk swallowed. He could see, he just didn’t want to accept it. Yet.
Then he stepped closer to Altus, tears dripping down his face. “I don’t want to lose you. Here or there, or anywhere.”
“But you know that you might?”
“I do.” Drayk finally breathed in the scents around the room. He tasted so much emotion, so much inner pain. “I’d do everything in my power to protect you, this village, its people.”
“Drei too?”
Drayk edged closer, allowed Altus’ lips to touch his cheek. “Yes, I care for her. And also wanted her to be my mate. I feel more for you than I thought I could. I don’t know where that leaves us all?”
Altus pressed his lips to Drayk’s. “I don’t expect you to choose. We can love together if we’re all in agreement. I wouldn’t deny you children, or the feel of a woman. But I can’t deny the feelings I have either. In the real world, it’d be different I’m sure.”
“Different in what way?”
“Drayk, I’m not sure you’d want me in your life.”
“I don’t just want you here. Ugh,” Drayk’s frustration grew. “What does that make me?”
“Conflicted, nothing else. You can’t help who you love, or what you’re meant to be.”
Drayk breathed in again, the sweet-smelling scent of Altus’ recent shower tugging at his senses. “I want you. I hope you know that.”
Altus grinned, “I knew the moment I met you. If you’ll let me, I’ll take you forward, slowly. I won’t rush you.”
Drayk kissed the sides of Altus’ neck and allowed the feelings of pleasure to flow through him. He did want this more. He also needed more time to think.
Easing them both down, he sat with Altus’ hand in his. “There’s no way I’m putting you in any more danger now; you know that. We’ll deal with the ongoing threat. And you’ll stay here.”
Altus winced. Luckily, a knock came at the door, Drei pushed it open, and she noted their hands connected. She stepped forward, kneeling before the both of them as Altus was about to drop Drayk’s hand.
“Don’t. We’re not like that. I never could be.” She took hold of both their hands. “I’d accept you both; I just want you to know. I could eventually have twins. If it is what you wanted?”
Drayk glanced to Altus, watching as a tear dripped from his nose. “I’d like that, a lot.”
Drei leaned in and kissed the tear. “So, we’re decided, we can be a CrCuo?”
“Yes,” Drayk squeezed her hand, smiling. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. You have to report to the training ground first thing tomorrow. I’ve got to start getting your ass in gear, you and the newbie, Pierce. I mean what kind of a name is it anyway?”
Drayk laughed, “He’s something else, isn’t he? I don’t understand why we’re connected or how my father got the nanites inside him. Maybe to stop them from fighting us.”
“I don’t know about stopping them; they’re bent on fighting, but we might be able to get more information.”
“You think he can infiltrate their lines more, become a spy?”
“No, but I think I know someone who might be able to, who’ll know more than he does.”
Pierce
Pierce sat on the table under Leenz ‘s supervision. “Like what you see?” he asked, his naked torso flexing as she looked him over.
“Quite the specimen that’s for sure.” Leenz stepped forward, ran a hand down his chest, noting the scars; the way each of them dipped or fell…
Pierce coughed. “If you get any closer down there you might get something poking in your eye.”
“This is for medical purposes. I’m not trying to tease you, you know.”
Pierce nodded. He knew. But he liked bantering with her now; this had gotten to be a fun game of his. The Araratian woman had become fascinating. Pierce really liked her for her fighting, her knowledge.
“Is Chopper being cared for?” he asked, as she finally came up from inspecting his body in full.
“Yes, they’ve got him in a pen with some others. He’s doing fine. If you’re lucky you might get him to mate with their females, then you’ll have a full brood of them following you around.”
Pierce laughed. “You don’t like him much, do you?”
“He’s a creature mostly used for food. I hadn’t thought anyone could bond or tame one like you have.”
Pierce placed a hand on his leg, flexing, feeling pain from internal injuries and metal implants he couldn’t see. His body back in the real world was suffering. He knew it; he hated it.
“You’re in pain, still?” she asked.
Pierce could only nod when he met her eyes, seeing her concern. The door buzzed; someone stepped inside.
Pierce took a double take as the young woman walked toward them. “I’m Amy,” she said. “Altus asked me to stop by so I can assess your…” She glanced to Leenz who gave her a sharp look. “But, I can see you’re in good hands.”
“That he is,” the Araratian almost growled at the woman.
Pierce leaned in, placed a hand on Leenz’s bare arm. Her skin was warm to his touch. “It’s okay; I’ll not fall apart at the first look. She’s just a human woman, you know.”
Leenz’s eyes met his again. “No, I don’t believe you will, but you also don’t know who she is, or what she stands for.” Leenz took a protective stance between Pierce and Amy. “You work here with the Maxol resistance?”
Amy placed a hand to her belt, a weapon sat there, but Leenz wasn’t about to let her grab for it. She rushed her, body slammed her, knocking them both to the floor.
Pierce grabbed for his trousers, pulling them on just in time to get away as these two warrior women were back on their feet fighting hand to hand.
Pierce had to admit Leenz was more than capable of winning most fights, but he had no idea what else Amy had up her sleeve.
Pierce moved quickly to the left as Leenz pushed Amy backward. “You’re a traitor; you weren’t here for any other reason. Altus and this camp are in danger, from you!”
This puzzled him even more, “What’s going on Leenz?” he shouted above their fighting.
Leenz didn’t look at him, but she said, “Those daggers at her waist, the clothing she now wears, they are the mark of the human tribe who broke through my ranks. Killed everyone in my party, except me!”
Amy’s usual calm voice changed, “You’re as stupid now as you were back then. To think after all this time, hiding, doing what I needed, I’d now get access to you, without having to work for it. You ran from me back then, now you’re just as much that coward!”
Leenz’s eyes flashed with anger; her fists clenched. “I’m not just going to kill you for the loss of my friends, but I’m going to make sure that you never, ever come back.”
Leenz reached into her bag and pulled out something peculiar looking. A weapon, yes, but nothing Pierce had seen her with before.
“You think by hitting me with that, you’ll stop me from respawning?”
“Oh, I know it. I just need to make sure I hit the right spot.”
“And what if you hit him?” Amy asked.
Leenz was distracted long enough for Amy to strike out with a knife toward her. Leenz didn’t dodge in time. It struck her chest; the hit wasn’t critical, and Pierce saw her health didn’t drop much.
But Amy went in for another killing blow, this time dodging in striking out to remove the weapon from Leenz’s hands.
That was when Pierce froze, he had no idea what this weapon was capable of, but he lunged for it. He wasn’t going to have someone he hardly knew kill anyone for real but, there was nothing he could do after the fact. So, as his fingers wrapped around the sleek metal, he pulled it to him.
A steely look
from both Amy and Leenz. What was he going to do now? Defend or kill?
The door flung open with a clang. Drayk stood there, with Drei and Altus.
Altus saw the weapon Pierce had tight hold of. “What the hell are you doing bringing that in here?” His eyes changed, and he seemed to grow in stature.
Drayk pulled him back as he lunged toward Pierce.
“Steady,” Pierce said. “I didn’t bring anything in here, this was hers.”
Pierce pointed to Amy, whose demeanour had changed so dramatically that he almost couldn’t believe it was the same person.
“You?” Altus asked. “I don’t understand.”
“You wouldn’t. You want to believe that everyone here is all loved up. That we all want to support and provide for the community. You couldn’t think that someone in your midst was a hunter!”
“You’ve been looking for someone all this time?”
Amy grinned. She stared Leenz down, “For her. She’s the last elder.”
Altus stepped forward in-between Leenz and Amy, toward Pierce. “I won’t let anyone be killed here, least of all Leenz. If she’s really the last, I need her more than anyone else.” Altus reached for the weapon. Pierce was reluctant to let him take it.
Amy wasn’t about to let that happen though. As soon as Altus had the weapon in his hands, she went for him. Pierce knew she hoped he wouldn’t have it in him to kill her, but with one swift slice, his sword edge cut through Amy’s stomach.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Pierce
Pierce watched as Drayk stood, mouth agape before him, not knowing if he should do something — anything — to help.
“I hadn’t known who she was, or what she stood for. I’m sorry,” Altus reached for some cloth, wiping Amy’s blood from the weapon.
“You’ll not win this, Altus,” she sighed. They watched as she bled out, holding onto her guts. No one moved to help.
Amy’s croaking stopped. Altus turned to Leenz. He bowed low, then kneeling before her, offered her the weapon.